Tyrone-based solid fuel importer LCC Group has invested in the first coal handling Cat 982M Wheel Loader in the UK & Ireland, fitted with a bespoke bucket to boost productivity in a deal with Finning UK & Ireland.
The machine will be a new addition to the LCC fleet, and has been configured to boost LCC’s productivity with Finning collaborating on the design of a bespoke bucket to improve single-haul capacity. The bucket is the largest ever fitted to a Cat 982M Wheel Loader and required engineering support from Finning in order to ensure machine stability under full load.
After being contacted by LCC, Finning presented data gathered from other key customers currently using Cat 982M’s to demonstrate the machine’s suitability for its role in the coal handling operation. The data, which was primarily focused around uptime, fuel efficiency and reliability, was drawn from the Finsight condition monitoring team, and helped LCC to feel confident that the Cat 982M was the right machine for its business needs. Further support was then provided to LCC by arranging two site visits, one to see a Cat 982M in operation in Salford, and a second to a coal handling operation in Hull which utilises Cat 980M’s as prime movers.
Operators from LCC were also able to trial the machines in a quarry setting, gaining positive feedback on the agility and stability of the joystick steering, the all-round visibility from the cab and the integrated Cat Production Measurement (CPM) system, which LCC are keen to utilise to track fuel usage and improve efficiency.
The machine will be fully maintained through a Customer Service Agreement (CSA) with Finning, with a four-year extended warranty and servicing package. Under the agreement, Finning will also provide technical support through the Finsight condition monitoring team, supplying LCC with data on machine health that links to CSA. This data will provide accurate information to organise preventative maintenance operations, as well as information on uptime and machine productivity.
Michael Loughran, Director for LCC Group, commented: “When we started looking for a new machine to help improve our operations, we came to Finning to see what they could offer us. We were really impressed by the way they understood not just our business, but the needs of our operators too.
“We worked very closely with Finning to ensure that the machine is a fit for our fleet mix, and thanks to data from the Finsight team and the site visits and trials organised, we are confident that the Cat 982M is the right machine to invest in. One further benefit for our business is the proximity of the Finning branch to the machine’s operational area; we are less than 15 minutes from the local branch in Lisburn, so we know that if we ever need support from Finning’s engineers, they will be able to get out on to site in a very short timeframe.”
Michael commented further: “It was a great experience to work alongside them to create the machine, and we’re incredibly excited to have the first Coal Handling Cat 982M in the UK & Ireland, even more so as it’s been customised and prepared especially for our business.”
